My truck is currently averaging 20.5 mpg over hte last month and half of driving. My oil changes happen when the computer tells me to change the oil. I am at 22k and have changed the oil twice.
i did the last change myself for $10.

Granted I have a payment. But I would be willing to bet my 1/2 gasser tows as well as your older diesel.

I don't know, it may stock for stock, but not turned up. Even stock, my parent's 6.0 3/4 ton Yukon tows nothing like my Cummins. I used to think that towed nice, then I bought my truck.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 84Scrambler

$60? Oil filter $9 and 3 gallons of oil $25-30. I run mine about 12k between changes, but I have mine tested for $20 each time I change it. I guess that is $60 if you include the lab testing.

I added the fuel filter into that cost because I figured someone would scream "omg diesels you have to change the fuel filter".

I want in on the 1/2 ton hauling a trailer as well as a 3/4 ton diesel. That is da funnay.

I'm no engineer, and I dont know the math, but Jesus has shown that a new 1/2 ton will deliver better performance then some of the older 3/4 and 1 tons. In this example we are talking about Kartracers late 80's early 90's 3/4 diesel. I'd be willing to put my truck next to his and compare.....its a 2007 Silverado.

I don't really care if he out tows me, its certainly possible. My point is that a newer half ton tows a hell of a lot more then you may think it does. Add into the fact that its comfrotable as hell, and most people who have 3/4 diesels dont even need em. I come at most with in 1,000-500 lbs of my max tow rating every now and again, and still am perfectly comfortable setting the cruise and 80 and lettin' her run.

I am SURE that would be different in the mountains down south...but I dont go there often.

I will say some of the hills heading up north give it a work out at times, but again, not enough to care.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grand Master

How can you even compare a 1/2 ton gas to a 3/4 ton diesel? Your talking apples and oranges.

The 1/2 is a better DD and part-time, medium duty hauler.

The 3/4 is a heavy duty hauler thats rides like a dump truck.

I miss my 99 chevy 1500 everyday on my way to work but, when I pull my camper, jeep and trailer up a hill passing guys pulling half the weight, the rough riding F250 gets a lot more comfortable.

If comparing like years then absolutely...but that isnt the case, and I never said it was apples to apples.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KartRacer

I don't know, it may stock for stock, but not turned up. Even stock, my parent's 6.0 3/4 ton Yukon tows nothing like my Cummins. I used to think that towed nice, then I bought my truck.

I added the fuel filter into that cost because I figured someone would scream "omg diesels you have to change the fuel filter".

You may be right....the truth is its all relative anyway....some people consider something to tow like shit while others say it tows great....

I tow 4-6,000 pounds on a fairly regualr basis, the half ton's fine, but a 3/4 diesel would be great.

Back to original topic. If you are in school I would suggest a modest priced gasser that can do your 10&#37; of towing, 90% dd stuff. The cost will be cheaper in the long run and you don't have to go in debt for a retarded amount of money. At this point in time a diesel truck is somewhat of a liability as a dd due to fuel cost, my opinion.

Comparing a 1/2 ton to a 3/4 ton in towing is silly. Comparing a 1/2 ton to a 3/4 ton diesel is stupid. The 1/2 ton just won't match up in towing manners, braking, or longetivety of drivetrain components.

However, in answer to the question: You can't have "too much truck", but the right choice for you while going to school and needing a 90&#37; DD would be going with a lesser vehicle payment with the 1/2 ton IMHO. Just please get a good brake controller

BTW, the high cost of "maintenance" debate with diesels still cracks me up. Maybe back in the old days... But my CTD has been my lightest cost of maintenance vehicle to date. Used to be 5 quarts of oil every 3K, now it's 11 quarts every 7.5K. Everything else is on regular schedules just like the rest of the vehicles I've owned. Meh, to each their own though.

Comparing a 1/2 ton to a 3/4 ton in towing is silly. Comparing a 1/2 ton to a 3/4 ton diesel is stupid. The 1/2 ton just won't match up in towing manners, braking, or longetivety of drivetrain components.

Itís not a silly comparison at all. Iíve towed the same trailer with the same load with a 94 C2500 6.5TD & 4.10 gears and my momís 04 F150 5.4 & 3.73ís and the F150 wins hands down. Both are very stable towing but the f150 tracks better and requires less steering corrections. The brakes on the F150 are A LOT better. Acceleration is better with the 94, but not by much and I think it has as much to do with gearing as engine power.

Overall UP_ROKTOY is right a modern 1/2 ton is a better tow vehicle then an older 3/4 ton, gas or diesel. Remember weíre talking about 3 vehicle generations ago and 5 or so generations of engine development, things have come a long way since then.

Itís not a silly comparison at all. Iíve towed the same trailer with the same load with a 94 C2500 6.5TD & 4.10 gears and my momís 04 F150 5.4 & 3.73ís and the F150 wins hands down. Both are very stable towing but the f150 tracks better and requires less steering corrections. The brakes on the F150 are A LOT better. Acceleration is better with the 94, but not by much and I think it has as much to do with gearing as engine power.

Overall UP_ROKTOY is right a modern 1/2 ton is a better tow vehicle then an older 3/4 ton, gas or diesel. Remember weíre talking about 3 vehicle generations ago and 5 or so generations of engine development, things have come a long way since then.

Please don't compare anything to an older GM diesel. They aren't even a factor in this argument.

BTW, 340 miles used 14.8 gallons last week up to Alpena in the diesel. Yeah 23 mpg. That was followed by 22 mpg while up there and another 21 mpg on the way home towing my small boat.

Please don't compare anything to an older GM diesel. They aren't even a factor in this argument.

BTW, 340 miles used 14.8 gallons last week up to Alpena in the diesel. Yeah 23 mpg. That was followed by 22 mpg while up there and another 21 mpg on the way home towing my small boat.

Iím not going to get into an argument about the 6.5 Diesels, but I like it. The point Iím making is that the 1/2 ton tows better regardless of the engine under the hood because the chassis and brakes are better.

Iím not going to get into an argument about the 6.5 Diesels, but I like it. The point Iím making is that the 1/2 ton tows better regardless of the engine under the hood because the chassis and brakes are better.

Are smaller, less effective brakes better? Er, uh, how does that work?